Shoe fastener



L. B. WILLIAMS SHOEFASTENER June 17, 1941.

Filed Jan. 4, 1941 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented June 17, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a shoe fastener, one of the objects being to provide a quick detachable device including resilient means whereby, when the fastener is in holding position, will draw the sides of the shoe yieldingly toward each other.

Another object is to provide means whereby the fastener can be held securely at one end to one side portion of the shoe while the other end can be detached readily from the opposite side of the shoe.

A still further object is to use the resilient portion of the fastener as a support for suitable decorative means, such as a bow of ribbon, etc.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing Figure 1 is a plan view-of a shoe provided with the present improvements.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section on line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the fastener.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section through the attaching end portion of the fastener showing the latch portion in interlocking relation.

Figure 5 is a section through a portion of the shoe showing a keeper thereon in elevation.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the attaching hook of the fastener.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the keepers.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, I designates the sides of a shoe S which, in the present instance, are not provided with the usual eyelets for a lace. Instead there is provided a pair of slits 2 in each side through which are extended the offset ends 3 of the flat bar 4 of a keeper. Flat enlargements or feet 5 are formed integral with the ofiset ends and have apertures 6. These feet are of a width greater than the length of the slits and they are located between the outer and inner thicknesses 1 and 8 portion of the keeper outside the shoe is thebar 4 and its offset portions 3.

The keepers are disposed in any desired relation but preferably diverge downwardly as shown in Figure l.

The fastener is formed of a short band 9 of resilient material such as an elastic fabric, a rubber band, etc. It is stitched to a fiat plate l0 having apertures II for receiving the thread I2, and the end of the band projects beyond the plate to form a tab it. That end of the plate nearest the tab is inturned to form a broad hook l4 proportioned to detachably engage the bar 4 of one of the keepers.

The other end of the band 9 is stitched on a flat plate I5 apertured as at l6 to receive the stitches I1 and that end of the plate l5 remote from the other plate [0 is inturned to form a broad hook l3. Resilient tongues l9 are provided in the side portions of hook l8 and are inclined toward the plate and away from the transverse edges thereof. These tongues partly close the gap between the plate 15 and its hook I8.

In practice the plate I5 is hooked onto one of the keeper bars 4 and this causes tongues l9 to snap back of the bar so as to hold the plate assembled therewith. After the shoe has been placed on the foot the tab I3 is grasped and pulled to stretch band 9 until the hook on plate [0 has been positioned beyond the other keeper. Hook I4 is then inserted into engagement with its bar 4, thereby holding the band 9 under tension with the sides of the shoe fitted snugly but yieldingly against the foot.

A bow 20 or other desired decoration can be attached to the band and used to conceal the band and other parts of the fastener.

To remove the shoe the tab is pulled to stretch band 9 and disengage hook M from its keeper.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination with a shoe, and keepers connected to the shoe at opposite sides respectively of the front thereof, of a fastener including a resilient band having a terminal tab, spaced plates attached to the band, a hook on each plate, said hooks being extended toward each other and positioned for engagement with the respective keepers, and a resilient tongue integral with one of the hooks for engagement with the keeper of said hook to hold the hook and keeper against separation.

2. The combination with a shoe, and keepers connected to the shoe at opposite sides respectively of the front thereof, of a fastener including a resilient band having a terminal tab, spaced plates attached to the band, a hook on each plate, separation, each of said hooks being of a. width said hooks being extended toward each other and substantially equal to the width of its plate, and positioned for engagement with the respective means carried by the band for concealing the keepers, and a resilient tongue integral with one band and plates.

of the hooks for engagement with the keeper of 5 LEE BARTON WILLIAMS. said hook to hold the hook and keeper against 

